5 Features to Include for the Perfect Kitchen Island

4 Min. Read

Every home has that special place where family and guests tend to gather- the kitchen. Maybe it’s the beautiful materials, the open-concept design, or the fact that everyone loves food. Whatever the reason, kitchen cabinets need to provide effective storage for hardworking kitchens. This includes the kitchen island. If the kitchen is the heart of the home, then the kitchen island is at its core. 

Island cabinets have a big task to achieve. Not only do they need to look beautiful, but they also need counter space for prepping food while housing snacks, drinks and dishware. They might even include cooking and plumbing capabilities. With a list that big, kitchen islands need to be thoughtfully designed. So, let’s explore the top 5 features to include in your kitchen island design.

Everything in the kitchen comes down to cabinet storage. Regardless of the space available, choose functional storage to get the most out of your kitchen island. Some great solutions include deep drawer base cabinets, peg dividers for drawers, roll-out trays and even cabinet storage on the back of the island.  

Hidden storage is a great way to create a clutter-free look. Make your selections based on your biggest priorities, then narrow down other ‘nice to have’ storage solutions.

Every kitchen could use space for seating at the island. Kitchens make people want to gather and can also be a convenient place to eat a meal when you’re interested in a more casual setting. Whether it’s a built-in banquette on the back of your kitchen island or pull up counter stools, you will be happy with the result. Account for 24” at a minimum per person for comfortable seating.

Any sleek and streamlined kitchen needs built-in appliances. Adding these pieces to your kitchen island provides convenience and conceals otherwise bulky appliances. It also centralizes major kitchen features like refrigeration and appliances for cooking.  

Top picks for island appliances tend to be cooktops, built-in microwaves, beverage coolers or wall ovens. Don’t forget to include outlets to make your island truly self-sufficient. Every island is customizable, so choose what suits your family best for the most effective workspace.

If any upgrades or remodels are taking place in the kitchen, then task lighting needs to be at the top of the list. There are three types of lighting for the kitchen; ambient, decorative and task. Task lighting is one of the most important features of a high-quality kitchen because it illuminates workspaces used for cutting and preparing food.  

Interior Designer, Jean Stoffer, says, “When you're using the kitchen, you need it to be like a laboratory so you can read that recipe.” The best solutions are undercabinet lighting, bright spotlights, sconces with directed down light, and recessed can lighting.

When it comes to the perfect kitchen island, it's hard not to mention a prep sink. Adding a secondary sink to your kitchen is an investment that pays off. When an island has its own sink, this minimizes the constant need to walk across the kitchen to fill pots with water and wash knives or utensils. In a sense, the kitchen island almost becomes its own mini kitchen. With this independent workstation, the kitchen as a whole is less busy and can accommodate more people.

A kitchen island’s impact on day-to-day life might not seem that obvious right away. However, when you consider how much thought, storage, and function goes into the design, most homeowners would have a hard time working in their kitchen without it. When you start designing your perfect island, choose durable and easy-to-clean materials that coordinate with your color scheme. Overall, have fun planning your custom island and make sure to maximize every inch. 
 
Need help designing your island? Talk with a CliqStudios designer!